Gene Wollenberg

Gene Wollenberg, 59, of Perkins, passed from this life August 24, 2014. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater, and a service celebrating Genes life will be held at 10:00am Friday, August 29, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Perkins, OK. Interment will follow at Maysville Cemetery in Maysville, OK. Public visitation will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2014 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm.
Gene Raymond Wollenberg was born on November 15, 1954 in Lindsay, OK to Harold Everett and Evelyn Rachel (Travis) Wollenberg. He grew up in Payne, OK and was a graduate of Wayne High School Class of 1973. He met the love of his life, Carla Scott, during high school.
Gene and Carla moved to Stillwater where Gene enrolled in Oklahoma State University as an Agricultural Education major. Following their first year at OSU, they were married in Maysville on July 27, 1974. Gene graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education, and the couple moved to Fairview, OK where he taught agriculture education at Fairview High School.
After a year in Fairview, Gene and Carla decided to make their home in the Stillwater area, buying a ranch in rural Lincoln County in July 1978. They raised two beautiful children, Justin and Gena, and countless head of cattle on their ranch.
Before landing at Payne County Bank, Gene briefly served as President of Production Credit Association in Chandler in the 1980s. He left Production Credit for Central Vo-Tech in Drumright. Education was always important to Gene and while working full-time at Central Vo-Tech, he returned to OSU where he earned a Masters Degree in Agricultural Education.
He joined Payne County Bank in 1992. Over the next 22 years, Gene grew through several positions at the bank before ultimately becoming the bank President in 2011.
Gene sought opportunities for community service. As a member of First Baptist Church in Perkins, he taught fourth grade Sunday school for many years. He enjoyed his membership with the Perkins Noon Lions Club. He was active with the Payne County United Way, where he was on the Board of Directors. One of his favorite services was working on the chain gang at Perkins-Tryon football games.
He enjoyed the simple things in life. He always raised cattle. He liked to travel. He loved playing games, especially playing the dominos game moon with his kids. Gene had a passion for running. He ran over 20 marathons and combined running with travel. He ran races in Oklahoma City, Boston, and Anchorage. He had a penchant for running marathons on short notice. He signed up for the Honolulu Marathon in the hours before the event. Earlier this year he surprised everyone by running an impromptu marathon in Jacksonville, Florida.
Of all Genes accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. He had an exceptional work-life balance, always making time for his family. Many things brought Gene joy, but nothing lit up his smile like playing with his new grandson Michel, and nothing lit up a room like Genes smile.
Gene Wollenberg was a devoted husband, a protective father, a loving grandpa, a caring brother, a loyal employee, a fair boss, and a trusted friend. His legacy of unwavering kindness and unbridled generosity will live on through the lives he touched during his time with us. Gene packed a lot of life and many memories into his short 59 years, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Carl Scott.
He is survived by his wife and soul mate of 40 years Carla Wollenberg, of the home. Two children: Justin Scott Wollenberg and wife Celia, of Norman, OK. Gena Suela (Wollenberg) Prichard and husband Drew Michael, of Stillwater. A grandson Michel Edward Wollenberg. Three siblings: Barbara Blankenship and husband Ronnie, of Lindsay, OK. Everett Wollenberg and wife Connie, of Payne, OK. Rachel Carwile and husband Joe, of Purcell, OK. A brother-in-law Don Scott and a mother-in-law Mary Scott, both of Maysville, OK. An honorary daughter Jessica Nichols Collum and husband Jase, of Edmond, OK, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.
The family has requested that donations be made in Genes name to the Payne County United Way or to the Perkins Public Library Trust in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com

Interment:
Maysville Cemetery
2:30pm, Friday, August 29, 2014